KBW 2025: CertiK and Kaia Highlight Security, AI, and Stablecoins as Key Drivers of Asia’s Web3 Future

CertiK and Kaia took center stage at Korea Blockchain Week (KBW 2025) to discuss the infrastructure, security, and innovation driving Asia’s next wave of Web3 adoption. In a packed fireside chat moderated by Luna PR CEO Nikita Sachdev, CertiK Co-Founder and CEO Ronghui Gu and Kaia Foundation Chairman Dr. Sam Seo explored how Kaia is building a superapp-friendly blockchain ecosystem and how CertiK’s security services are providing the backbone for its growth.

This conversation came as CertiK strengthens its presence in Korea with three strategic initiatives: deepening partnerships with leading projects like Kaia, delivering data-backed industry insights through its 2025 Skynet Korea Report, and establishing a Korean subsidiary to provide local BD, marketing, and engineering support.

From Merger to Mass Adoption

Kaia was formed through the merger of Klaytn and Finschia, two Layer 1 blockchains backed by Asian tech giants Kakao and LINE. “Our goal is to bring advanced, easy-to-use Web3 services to mainstream Web2 consumers through these channels,” said Sam. This approach is already showing results: the Kaia-powered Dapp Portal built within LINE Messenger has led to over 67 million wallets on the Kaia chain in just six months, dramatically expanding access to Web3 for users across Asia.

Sam stressed that this scale requires robust infrastructure and performance optimization. Kaia is capable of handling thousands of transactions per second and is developing Layer 2 support to handle microtransactions and future stablecoin use cases. With this ongoing expansion, Kaia has a constant need for security, hence its partnership with CertiK.

Stablecoin Orchestration: A New Financial Layer

Stablecoins were a central topic of the fireside chat, with Kaia positioning stablecoins as a cornerstone of its future ecosystem. “We are building a stablecoin orchestration layer so different stablecoins like USDT, Indonesian rupiah, or Japanese yen stablecoin can be accessible together,” Sam explained. “If I’m Korean, I can use Korean won stablecoins in Japan, and behind the scenes, the orchestration layer will convert them to yen in an instant.”

CertiK has been deeply involved in stablecoin security globally, working with Paxos on PayPal USD, collaborating with Ripple, and serving in advisory roles for the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Hong Kong Web3 Task Force. CertiK’s latest Skynet Korea Report, released during KBW 2025, provided data-driven insights into adoption trends and systemic risks in the region, reinforcing the importance of security in this fast-growing market.

Securing Development from Commit to Deployment

A highlight of the session was CertiK’s use of artificial intelligence (AI), which is incorporated into the company’s auditing and compliance workflow. AI helps CertiK with planning, scanning, enhancement, validation, and reporting at scale. “Rather than waiting for one major audit, we can catch issues at the commit stage,” said Professor Gu. “Kaia was the first ecosystem where we deployed our AI-based pre-audit scanning tools, even during the Kaia Hackathon.”

CertiK’s AI tools are designed for multi-chain, multi-language ecosystems like Kaia’s, seamlessly integrating into CI/CD pipelines and reducing the risk of false negatives while improving audit efficiency.

Mini Dapps, NFTs, and Gaming: Security for the Next UX Layer

Kaia is pushing innovation with Mini Dapps hosted inside LINE messenger in cooperation with LINE NEXT, creating a bridge between Web2 usability and Web3 ownership. Professor Gu noted that this required CertiK to develop custom scanning tools for Mini Dapps to protect game assets, IP rights, and in-game currencies.

Sam emphasized that this level of security is crucial for onboarding Web2 users. “If users experience something insecure, we might lose their trust. Security is the minimum requirement we have to provide for currently running 97 Mini Dapps.”

Localized Presence and Long-Term Vision

Professor Gu confirmed that CertiK is in the process of setting up a Korean subsidiary, adding local engineering resources to provide real-time technical support for key partners like Kaia.

Looking ahead, Sam shared Kaia’s bold vision: “In the next five years, Kaia will become the main infrastructure for public financial transactions. Stablecoins and blockchain will change the traditional financial system. AI will be a great tool for automation, minimizing risks, and optimizing processes so people can use financial applications more easily and safely.”

Professor Gu agreed, adding that AI would be key to scaling security as Kaia and other ecosystems onboard hundreds of thousands of Mini Dapps. “We want Web2 users to have a smooth experience without needing to think about smart contracts or audits. That’s very important for Web3 adoption,” he said.

Web2 Users: Entering Web3 Safely

Both speakers concluded by encouraging Web2 users to seek out audited applications and take the leap into Web3. “Check whether applications are audited,” said Sam. “If you see the CertiK logo, you can feel that it’s safe.”

Professor Gu added, “We hope more retail users just give it a try. Use LINE, use Kaia Wallet. And then they will not be scared anymore.”

Editor’s Note: Quotes from the Fireside Chat have been lightly edited for clarity and flow while remaining faithful to the speakers’ original meaning.